Easter appetizers made easy
If you’ll be hosting friends and family for Easter this year, creating the perfect spread doesn’t have to be hard. Make your gathering as simple as it is delicious by serving dishes that can be made ahead of time and then easily put together on the big day.
Opting for an array of appetizers can help keep hungry people out of the kitchen until the main course is ready. Featuring easy prep and short cook times, these apps from Cookin' Savvy can let you spend more time creating memories with loved ones.
Whether you’re celebrating with your nearest and dearest or hosting a larger crowd, these Deviled Eggs, Pimento Cheese Bites, and Spinach Bites recipes can be halved or doubled to fit your needs. Plus, they feature many ingredients you may already have on hand, making them easy to prep ahead of time to avoid spending too much time in the kitchen while trying to host.
Find more recipe inspiration to make your Easter celebration extraordinary at culinary.net.
Deviled Eggs
Yield: 16 deviled eggs
8 boiled eggs
1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Smoked paprika, for garnish (optional)
Slice each egg and place the whites on a plate and the yolks in a bowl.
In a bowl of yolks, add 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, bacon pieces, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper, to taste. With a fork or hand mixer, blend until smooth. Add more mayonnaise until the mixture reaches the desired smoothness.
Spoon or pipe mixture into egg whites. Garnish with smoked paprika, if desired.
Note: Deviled eggs can be made the day before and kept covered in the refrigerator until needed.
Pimento Cheese Bites
Yield: 12 shells and 12 tops
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 jar (4 ounces) pimentos, drained
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
2 packages of frozen puff pastry shells
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
With a hand mixer, blend cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon pieces, and salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth; set aside.
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Thaw, then bake pastry shells for 15 minutes.
Remove tops and set aside. Spoon pimento cheese mixture into each shell.
Place a dab of pimento cheese mixture on top for smaller appetizers.
Notes: Pimento cheese mixture can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator up to five days before using. The recipe can be halved or doubled depending on needs.
Spinach Bites
Yield: 24 spinach bites
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup thawed frozen spinach
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
With a hand mixer, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, spinach, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, bacon pieces, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Thaw and roll out puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 12 squares. Place each puff pastry square into a hole in the muffin pan, and then spoon spinach mixture into each square and pinch corners together. Bake for 15 minutes and serve warm.
Notes: Spinach mixture can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator up to 5 days before using. The recipe can be halved or doubled depending on needs.
Recipes courtesy of Cookin’ Savvy and Family Features.